Franco Armani will renew his contract with River: “I really like being here, I’ve always wanted to stay”

FrancoArmani He will continue to be the captain of River until December 2026. Yes, the representatives of the world champion and the management of Núñez’s club have reached an agreement to renew the goalkeeper’s contract, which he will sign upon returning from the United States, where he meets the national team Argentina for the friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.

After the doubts that were generated last year regarding its continuity, due to the ups and downs of its performance and the latent possibility of returning to Colombia for family matters, Armani destroys any type of speculation about his future. And with this step he will confirm not only the prolongation of his stay at River but also the possibility of continuing to stay under the three sticks of the “Millonarios” until his retirement. He will reach 40 when his new relationship ends.

Wearing the captain’s armband most likely influenced Armani’s decision. He feels comfortable in his new role, from which he learns day after day and in harmony with his colleagues. At the same time, he is very comfortable in the club. Enjoy every moment. And he proves it on the pitch, where he continues to be decisive.

Negotiations for the renewal of the contract began in November. And this Thursday they concluded, after the agreement was signed. The goalkeeper learned the news during the national team’s retreat in Philadelphia, awaiting the friendly matches with the team led by Lionel Scaloni. And this filled him with happiness, of course.

The 37-year-old Casildense is having a lot of fun. He has returned to high levels at River and is still taken into consideration by Scaloni. Indeed, He will definitely be on the list for the Copa América and will be part of the Argentine delegation seeking the two-time continental championship mid-year. With the national team the Millonario goalkeeper won the Copa América, the Final and the World Cup.

In the Santa Fe Riveraccumulate 10 titles (Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, two professional championships, three Argentine Super Cups, two Champions Trophies and an Argentine Cup) and after obtaining a new Super Cup last week, it has reached the 26th in his careerto enter the the top five archers with the most titles in the world.

“There were a lot of rumors going around last year. But there were no offers. In my head I always wanted to continue with River. I like to honor my contracts and that was my idea this year. Every year that starts I feel good and comfortable here. “I’m where I want to be,” the goalkeeper said earlier this year during River’s preseason in the United States.

And I add: “I never thought about leaving River, it’s the reality. I really like being here, the fans, the stadium… I’ve always wanted to stay. My head has been here the whole time. I want to continue with new goals and win many things. “This institution demands to win titles.”

For “Chili”, as he was nicknamed as a child in his native Casilda, getting to where he is was not easy. After indifference at Estudiantes de La Plata and a brief period at Ferro, he landed at Deportivo Merlo, where he was able to find continuity. In the western team of Greater Buenos Aires he was a character of the B Metropolitana and obtained promotion to B Nacional. And then came a very important challenge: Nacional de Medellín noticed him and brought him to Colombia. And at the beginning of 2018 he arrived at River, wanted by Marcelo Gallardo.

Now he is enjoying his stay at River like never before, where he has been for six years and by renewing for another two seasons he will reach eight. Surely, it’s much more than he dreamed of when he wore a green sweatshirt like “Pato” Fillol and stopped his brother Leandro’s shots in the garage of his house, or when he flew from club to club and felt like the “Monkey” Burgo: Ultimately his desire was to reach the goal of River, the club he supported as a child.